RCR operates primarily in Youngstown, Buffalo and elsewhere on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie but often comes to this side of the border to represent its boat and brokerage lines. Back Cove is one of the lines it sells; since there is no Canadian dealer, they are happy to receive boaters from here.

The boats are built in Maine and reflect that maritime look admirably. The company is a sister to Sabre, a reasonably well-known brand in these waters.

Back Cove Yachts introduced the brand new 34O (O is for Outboard) at the 2018 fall boat shows, powered by a pair of all white Yamaha 300’s (optional 350 hp Yamaha or Suzuki’s) and the result was the award for “Best New Powerboat under 35 feet”. The entirely new hull fitted with standard bow thruster and designed specifically for outboard propulsion offers cruise and top end speeds approximately 10 knots faster than the traditional single diesel Back Cove. This cockpit is meant for entertaining with an aft facing seat that converts into a helm deck U-shaped dinette or second berth. The standard diesel generator and cabin A/C below deck coupled with the spacious island berth, separate head and shower remind us that this Back Cove is still intended for cruising.

RCR often says that some of its happiest customers are Back Cove owners. And now offers two Back Cove choices in the popular 32-34' size range with the addition of their latest models, the diesel-powered 32 and now the 34o, with twin outboards. Accommodations are the same for both models but the owners may choose which type of cruising suits them best. The 32 offers longer range and fuel economy and the 34o provides more speed, hitting just over 40 knots.

The production line is up and running and with over thirty 34O hulls on order, it is already a runaway success. RCR is a long time Back Cove dealer and has a 30 & 32 in stock and a couple of those 34Os on order, one already sold.

A favourite destination for many boaters and tourists alike is the lovely Mackinaw Island. Sitting in Lake Huron on the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac in the state of Michigan, it covers almost ten kilometres, of which 80% is park land. It was a sacred place of the Anishinaabe and home of the Gitche Manitou (Great Spirit) some 700 years prior to the arrival of the first Europeans.

According to legend, the Island was created by the Great Hare, Michabou, and was the first land to appear after the recession of the Great Flood.

I think my favourite program was Bonanza. I would rush home after school, get my homework done, clean up the dishes, and then I would watch the ol’ West come alive with those three handsome, funny brothers who thrived on adventure.

At the time, I thought that the adventuresome West - and the pioneers who could handle just about anything thrown their way - was the stuff of make-believe.

We will probably look back on 2018 and 2019 as the years when power boats were reinvented by the combined forces of a booming U.S. economy and the wide-spread development and introduction of so many amazing new outboard engines. The result has been the development of many remarkable new designs!

One of the most inventive designers and builders is Jeanneau, and the NC 1095 is their new flagship outboard cruiser by Centkowski & Denert Design.

Lagoon has been building catamarans for too long to make a false move. That’s why when the management felt that their tried-and-true 450 model, long a cruising favourite and winner of transatlantic events such as the ARC, was getting near retirement age, they went back to a team that has designed many successful models for them: Nauta Design for interiors and VPLP design with Patrick le Quément for naval architecture and exteriors.

We spoke with Nauta Design’s Massimo Gino about his work with Lagoon.

“Along with the many custom superyacht projects we do, we have been collaborating with Lagoon since 2009.

Grounding is always an interesting idea when on a boat. Can a boat be ‘grounded’ when it’s in the water?

Electrical ground is a term used to describe the reference point in an electrical circuit from which voltage is measured, a common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the earth.

Connection to ground is also important in order to trigger protective mechanisms in the event of failure of internal insulation, and also limits the build-up of static electricity.

Watch for a tsunami of innovative new boating products in the chandlery this year, as accessory manufacturers battle for your attention and dollars.

This past decade has been a real up-and-down ride for the companies who make boating equipment. When the recession hit in 2008/2009, new product development for most manufacturers ground to a sharp halt as they focused on more pressing issues, like simply keeping the lights on. It took a few years for the economy to stabilize and for the first handful of new items to begin slowly trickling out to market. For guys like me who make a living writing about new boating gear, those were pretty lean years, let me tell you.

You most likely operate your vessel with batteries that are rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries account for nearly half of worldwide battery sales. Within the rechargeable battery category, there are many different types of chemistries that are used. The most proven type of chemistry is the lead acid chemistry.

Wet cell or “flooded” batteries and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are both considered lead batteries and contain an electrolyte solution which causes a chemical reaction and produces electrons. These batteries are recharged when put in contact with a reverse current. But, given the way they are designed, they each have their own pros and cons and these variations should be considered before use.

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